Eli - The Phenom's Story: A Historical Novel of the 1946 Baseball Season

So, what's in the book Eli?A year from baseball's golden era dealing with scouts, weak ground balls, triples, pitcher-batter psychology, and a phenom. And more.Post-World War 2 history dealing with changes in race relations, advertising, transportation, economics, and worldliness. And more.The colorful Cleveland Indians dealing with League Park's short and quirky right field fence, Bill Veeck's eccentric promotions, massive crowds at Municipal Stadium, Bob Feller's patriotism, and Max Patkin's buffoonery. And more.Plus, there's spirituality. Family. Values. Choices. And... finishing well. And more.Mark Zimmerman takes us on a fun and fast-paced journey weaving together the legendary Indians owner Bill Veeck's quest to fill seats and the desire of every youthful ball player to be discovered. Tension mounts as the Amish athlete Eli becomes the talk of the major league baseball world but feels the pull of young love and family commitment.The big question is how would Eli make the decision to forgo the almost certain success and fame that would accompany modernity in order to embrace the simplicity of a spirituality that would achieve the wealth of faith and family.Zimmerman knows baseball, knows the Indians, knows NE Ohio, and knows the Amish. He also knows how to write. The dialogue is compelling. The use of letters, telegrams, broadcasts, newspaper articles, and 1940's style art work keep the reader engaged and entertained.As a former minor league ball player from the 70s, I am glad Zimmerman left some... let's say... colorful language in the book. That's keeping it real. It was a treat for me - who never made it to "The Show" - to put myself in Eli's place and imagine what it might have been like to have had a few big league at bats.I like Eli Weaver. I want to know more about Eli's struggle - a tension that caused my mind to revisit a conversation between Moonlight Graham and Ray Kinsella in the film Field of Dreams.Eli had some tough choices to make. He chose wisely and finished well. That's inspiring.Thanks, Mark Zimmerman, for taking us on an entertaining, educational, and motivating journey. It's a perfect way for baseball fans to get ready for the 2022 season with the Cleveland.... (cough, cough) Guardians.

How do you transform an otherwise forgettable season by your hometown team into one to remember? If you are Mark Zimmerman, you write a novel that merges not only fact with fiction, but also baseball with faith.Eli Weaver’s coming-of-age summer has him playing major league baseball with his home state Cleveland Indians before tens of thousands of adoring — and occasionally hostile — fans. It’s unlikely an Amish teenager ever experienced a rumspinga such as this.The author’s attention to detail and tireless research drops us right into both a 1940s Amish community and the post-war 1946 Indians’ season introducing flamboyant new owner Bill Veeck. Northeast Ohioans will appreciate how Mark mixes reminders of Cleveland’s past with nods to landmarks still present today. He also cues up recreations of game broadcasts to add color to the narration. Those send readers back to a time before television when radio provided most fans their link to the team.Throughout the book Eli battles an internal tug-of war. On one side is his eagerness to discover if his baseball skills can match the best in the game, even as a 19-year-old. On the flip side are his duty toward his family and his lifetime of following Amish faith and tradition. Will his teammates accept him? Will his faith community ever understand his decision?While Eli’s personal struggles set a thoughtful tone, there are numerous light parts that not only bring a smile to the reader’s face, but occasionally an audible laugh. One can picture Veeck’s wry smile and furrowed brow behind a whirring brain each time he has to clear one of the continual “Amish” hurdles to get Eli eventually signed and then into the Indians’ lineup. Then there is the Amish bishop in Eli’s home congregation trying to solve why everyone is dozing off during Sunday services. You’ll read about the near-riot Eli’s presence sets off prior to a Ladies’ Night ballgame. There are many more, including his various personal battles with veteran opposing pitchers.All through the book you are wondering which path Eli will choose. Even if you’re confident you know the answer, it turns out to be not as simple as one might think. A must-read for the baseball fan who enjoys a fun, feel-good story.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. It plucked three of my strings: history, baseball, and Christian faith.I was almost 1/2 way through the book when I did a quick search on Eli and discovered the book was historical FICTION and there never was an Eli Weaver. Mark tells a story that is highly believable; I heard Bill Veecks voice as I read the words Mark had him speak. The inclusion of unique game promotions added kind-a far out ideas that fit perfectly with the things Bill was known for implementing. Most characters in the book actually lived and were part of baseball in '46.It's a book for lovers (and even folks that simply like) baseball. Mark is true to baseball, and presents plays in the book that are part of the game I love. I felt the tension of pitcher-batter duels as Mark described at-bats. In my mind, I saw fly balls careening off the wall as the fielder was positioning to recover.And the faith of a Christian group living in our world and yet not a part of our world. I liken Eli to Eric Liddell and the true story in Chariots of Fire. Faith crossing into and conflicting with athletic competition. We live near Amish and frequently visit that area to buy cheeses, furniture and shop the road side produce stands. Quality is far above most things offered in our (English) society. They are a people unique in our world. I have a great respect for the faith they live out. They live as an example to this world. Preaching Jesus with actions and not words.This book is perfect for lovers of either baseball or history or both.-Mike George